Erosion control apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an erosion control apparatus and methods of using and installing the apparatus. The apparatus is constructed to prevent erosion of soil during typical weather or tidal conditions and adverse weather events. The apparatus can include a plurality of anchored rolls and soil lifts operative to stabilize the shoreline.

This application is continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/329,728, filed Feb. 28, 2019, which is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 nationalstage filing of International Application No. PCT/US2017/049717, filedon Aug. 31, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/253,464, filed Aug. 31, 2016, the entirecontents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Historically, conventional, or “hard engineering” structures have beenused to defend against erosion from adjacent water courses or waterbodies. While effective, these techniques have proven to haveconsiderable undesirable physical impacts of increasing erosion toadjacent land forms or other “down-stream” natural resources. This isprimarily due to the hardness of these structures which reflect and/ortransmit the energy contained in waves, currents, and scour from movingwater onto the nearby landforms which have not been “hardened” throughthe installation of structural elements. The reflection of waves,currents, and scour results in increased erosion of adjacent resourcessuch as beaches, tidal areas, subsurface features immersed in water,river courses, lakebeds, and important upland land features which oftenprotect other structures such as homes, roadways, and utilities.

To address damage to adjacent resources, many regulatory agencies,environmental advocacy organizations, and environmental contractors haveembraced bioengineering and the “Living Shoreline” approach, which isnow a nationally-known campaign by the National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration (NOAA) in the United States of America. In some USstates, state wetland regulations prohibit the use of conventional hardengineering structures to protect structures on properties. In theseinstances, “soft”, bioengineering measures such as those promoted by theNOAA Living Shoreline program are the only alternatives available forcoastal property owners. Unfortunately, bioengineering measures promotedby the Living Shorelines program are not robust or structurally soundenough to defend against erosion in portions of the shoreline which areexposed to higher intensity storms such as oceanfront areas, coastalbays, larger estuaries, larger rivers, and lakes.

Conventional, environmentally friendly bioengineering approaches forstabilizing the base of landforms along exposed shorelines can providestructural integrity at the toe of landforms near the shoreline in orderto stabilize these landforms. While these approaches are all somewhateffective at stabilizing exposed landforms, they are generally believedto have much lower success when used along ocean fronting land forms,within larger estuaries, larger rivers, and along the shorelines oflarger lakes. It is important to note that an effective and reliablestrategy for soft bioengineering methodology presently does not existfor most of the oceanfront, larger estuaries, larger rivers, and alongthe shorelines of larger lakes. Therefore, the owners of real estatemust rely on conventional hard engineering structures, which typicallyexacerbate shoreline erosion in nearby locations or must rely onsubstandard soft engineering alternatives which are not robust enoughfor the given site conditions and level of exposure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the problems of conventionalbioengineering installations by providing an erosion control apparatusand methods of installing same. Fiber rolls and fabric encapsulated soil(FES) lifts are combined in anchored configurations together withsynthetic mesh netting, to create bioengineered installations withgreater durability, greater resistance to storm, sea and water erosion,and corresponding longer useful life, lengthening repair cycles andfacilitating the repair process.

In some embodiments, an erosion control apparatus comprises a pluralityof fiber rolls, wherein the rolls are arranged relative to a contour ofa shoreline; a plurality of anchors coupled to the fiber rolls, theanchors inserted at a depth through the apparatus; a plurality of soillifts comprising fiber, the soil lifts are connected to the fiber rolls.A mesh can comprise a layer contacting the soil lifts, wherein theanchors pass through the mesh and the soil lifts and optionally enterthe soil underneath the apparatus. This operates to distribute theanchoring force across the system.

The plurality of fiber rolls can comprise a coir fiber and can be eitherhigh density or low density. In an embodiment, the plurality of anchorsare duckbill anchors. The anchors can be spaced at intervals across eachfiber roll to distribute loading across the structure. Each anchor caninclude a cable or rod connected to an anchor point surface sized tosupport an overlying cone of material. In an embodiment, the intervalsrange from twenty-four inches to thirty inches, for example. In anembodiment, the anchors can be inserted at a depth of at least forty-twoinches below a slope or grade of the apparatus and can provide at leastthree thousand pounds of holding force at each insertion point. Theanchors preferably extend at an angle that is orthogonal to the plane ofthe rolls. However, certain embodiments can be configured such that theanchors extend at an angle that is within 45 degrees of the orthogonaldirection, or preferably within 30 degrees of the orthogonal directionfrom the plane of the rolls.

The soil lifts can comprise at least one layer of coir fabric and may beconfigured to retain sediment. In some embodiments, the sediment iscompacted and can have a depth of at least twelve inches. In someembodiment, the mesh contacting the soil lifts comprises polypropylene,polyethylene, or similar synthetic material. In other embodiments, themesh comprises coir fiber.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least a firsttrench at a highest end of the apparatus. In further embodiments, theapparatus further comprises a second trench located at a lowest end ofthe apparatus. Each trench can be backfilled with sand or soil. In someembodiments, the first trench and the second trench are at least sixinches wide and at least six inches deep. In some embodiments, eachtrench is covered with sand or soil.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises plant material onor with at least one fiber roll. The mesh may cover at least one of thefiber rolls. Additional lifts may be added over time to the apparatus byconstructing more soil lifts on the top or side of the rolls. In someembodiments, the apparatus further comprises at least one erosioncontrol blanket, which can optionally comprise a biodegradable material.

In some embodiments, a plurality of posts are placed along at least afront roll of the apparatus relative to the shoreline. The lifts may besecured with the posts or stakes.

In some embodiments, a method of installing erosion control apparatuscomprises placing a mesh within an excavated site; placing a layer ofcoir fabric over the mesh; arranging a plurality of fiber rolls relativeto a shoreline; connecting a plurality of soil lifts to the fiber rolls,the soil lifts comprising fiber; folding the mesh and the fabric overthe soil lifts and the rolls; and inserting a plurality of anchorsadjacent or coupled to the fiber rolls, the anchors being inserted at adepth, wherein each of the anchors passes through the mesh, the fabric,and at least one soil lift.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an erosion control apparatus, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an erosion control apparatus including wirebaskets, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an erosion control apparatus including stakes,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a close-up side view of a coir fiber roll according to someembodiments.

FIG. 5A depicts a side view of an erosion control apparatus includingmultiple slope angles, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5B depicts a side view of a section of an erosion control apparatusand the angular positioning of elements of the apparatus, according tosome embodiments

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of an anchor's load according to someembodiments.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of coir fiber rolls covered in sandaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a side view of marsh pillows or containers according to someembodiments.

FIG. 9 is a side view of stakes utilized in an erosion control apparatusaccording to some embodiments.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are a top view, side view, perspectiveview, and a front view of an assembled apparatus according to someembodiments.

FIG. 11A depicts a method of installing an erosion control apparatus,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11B depicts a method of inserting anchors to secure fiber rolls andsoil lifts according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thedisclosed devices and methods, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numberswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unlessspecifically stated otherwise. In this application, the use of “or”means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term“including”, as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included”,is not limiting. Any range described herein will be understood toinclude the endpoints and all values between the endpoints.

Prior to this disclosure, there has not been a reliable and robustbioengineering method of stabilizing an exposed landform in locations ofhigher erosion risk, such as oceanfront, estuarine, riverfront,lakefront, and other features of land bordering a body of water.

The present disclosure incorporates the benefits of mass and weight ofsediment-filled lifts and the benefits of fiber rolls to preventsediment from liquefying and flowing through the fabric in storm orflooding events. The present disclosure also relies on anchoring thefiber rolls with the use of earth anchors. The earth anchors can includedifferent structures such as helical-style anchors and duckbill-styleanchors, provided they can be positioned below grade and providesuperior holding power. In an embodiment, earth anchors provide aminimum of 3,000 pounds of holding force at each anchor point. In anembodiment, each element of the disclosed apparatus provides a minimumof 3,000 pounds of holding force. Anchor points are installed atintervals of approximately twenty-four to thirty inches along an edge ofeach fiber roll. In an embodiment, the anchor points are installed everythirty inches from along the top and bottom edge of each fiber roll.

Prior to this disclosure, property owners were faced with choosingbetween substandard, soft bioengineering techniques which requirefrequent repairs or fail during storm conditions. Such conditionsincrease the forces of moving water on the bioengineering components orconventional engineering approaches which tend to reflect storm energyand exacerbate erosion damage to adjacent or down-stream naturalresources. Neither conventional engineering approaches or priorbioengineering techniques were well-matched for sea level rise.Conventional engineering measures for erosion control do not supportplants and often cannot be expanded in a modular technique without majorfoundational reconstruction. While fiber rolls and similarbioengineering methods provide good support for the root systems ofplants, the inability to hold the fiber rolls in place during a stormevent undermines the ability for plants to become established as theplants are damaged every time the array becomes dislodged. Successfulbioengineering relies extensively on the integrity of the plant rootsystems for long-term performance.

The present disclosure not only provides substantially more structuralintegrity than any other bioengineering method for shoreline protection,but due to its superior structural integrity and ability to supportplant growth, the important role plants play in all bioengineeringdesigns is enhanced and secured on a substantially longer timeframe. Thedisclosed apparatus are also readily expandable, making it possible toincrease the number of lifts over time by simply constructing more liftson the top or sides of the array without making any other structuralchanges to the array or damaging the supporting bioengineering materialsand plants. In some instances, more than one apparatus can be installedat the same site vertically, horizontally, or a combination thereof.Conversely, conventional engineering methods such as sea walls oftenrequire substantial increases in their foundation or embedment belowgrade before their height can be increased. The expandability of thepresent disclosure makes it a preferred alternative in marineenvironments undergoing sea level rise.

The disclosed apparatus, in some embodiments, is installed in a siteabove ground water in the surrounding soil. In other embodiments, thelowest section of the disclosed apparatus is inserted no more than onefoot into ground water.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an erosion control apparatus, according to someembodiments. The apparatus 100 comprises at least one coir fiber roll110. The coir fiber rolls 110 may be either high density or low density.For one example, 20″ diameter by 10′ long, high density fiber rolls aremeasured at a nine pound per cubic foot density, comprised of a mattressof inner coir fibers encased in a UV stabilized synthetic polypropylenemesh. Alternatively, the high density fiber rolls are comprised of amattress of inner coir fibers encased in a 100% biodegradable coir ropemesh. In a further example, 20″ diameter by 20′ long, low density fiberrolls are measured at a seven pound per cubic foot density, comprised ofa mattress of inner coir fibers encased in a UV stabilized syntheticpolypropylene mesh. In some embodiments, some or all of the low densityfiber rolls are 20″ diameter by 10′ long.

The coir fiber rolls 110 are arranged along a shoreline, riverbank,lakefront, or other waterfront. The soil behind the coir fiber rolls110, relative to the shoreline, riverbank, lakefront, or otherwaterfront, may be graded. In some embodiments, the soil is graded at aslope angle in a range of 0 to 45 degrees (1:1 slope). In an embodiment,the soil is graded at a slope angle in a range of 20 to 50 degrees. In afurther embodiment, the soil is graded at a slope angle no greater than33 degrees (2:1 slope). The slope angle may be 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38,39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 degrees, or any anglein between. In some embodiments, the soil of the apparatus 100 caninclude varying slope angles throughout the apparatus 100. The coirfiber rolls are described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 4. Varying slope angles are described in greater detail below withrespect to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

The coir fiber rolls 110 are anchored with the use of anchors 120. Theanchors 120 may be referred to as “earth anchors” and may behelical-style anchors, duckbill-style anchors, or any other type ofanchor that can be driven below grade. The anchors 120 are inserted at aspecified depth into the soil lifts 130 or the soil underneath theapparatus 100. In some embodiments, the anchors 120 are insertedadjacent to the plurality of the coir fiber rolls 110. In an embodiment,each anchor 120 provides a minimum of three thousand pounds of holdingforce. The distribution of anchors is described with more detail withrespect to FIG. 6 .

In an embodiment, the anchors 120 are installed across a face of thecoir fiber rolls 110. In some embodiments, the anchors 120 are insertedadjacent to the coir fiber rolls 110 to secure the coir fiber rolls 110.In some embodiments, the anchors 120 are inserted adjacent to multiplecoir fiber rolls 110. The anchoring system of the apparatus 100 furthercomprises ¼″ galvanized aircraft cable 116 and zinc-coated coppercrimps. The crimps are used to form a loop in the cable 116. Cables 116are attached to each earth anchor 120 by forming a loop with a crimp.One cable 116 may be joined to another cable 116 by securing two loopstogether. These cables 116 form a network of cables 116 which harnessthe coir fiber rolls 110 and all tie back to the individual anchors 120to create a high degree of integrity. The anchors 120 are placed to adepth of at least 42″ below finished slope grade into naturally orartificially compacted soil using a hardened steel driving rod. Deeperanchor placements can be used with greater slope angles or more exposedformations.

The apparatus 100 further comprises a plurality of fiber encased soillifts 130. The soil lifts 130 can comprise two layers of sevenhundred-gram (or heavier) woven coir fabric encased by high tenacitypolypropylene or polyethylene synthetic mesh 140 that is resistant toripping. The soil lifts 130 are configured to retain sediment and allowthe sediment to naturally compact within the soil lift 130. All sedimentin each soil lift 130 preferably has a consistent depth of approximately12″, but the depth of each soil lift 130 can vary across the apparatus100. The sediment in each soil lift 130 can be compacted using aportable plate compactor at 6″ soil depth intervals.

In some embodiments, each soil lift 130 in an apparatus 100 is ofuniform length. In some embodiments, the length of each soil lift 130 isfour feet. In some embodiments, the length of each soil lift 130 iseight feet. In some embodiments, the top soil lift 130 has a length ofeight feet and each other soil lift 130 has a length of four feet.

The soil lifts 130 are connected to the coir fiber rolls 110. Additionalsoil lifts 130 can be added to the apparatus 100 over time byconstructing the additional soil lifts 130 onto the top of the coirfiber rolls 110, for example. The completed series of coir fiber rollsand soil lifts may be referred to as a protection array, configured toprotect a shoreline. In some embodiments, the coir fiber rolls 110 areincorporated into, or encapsulated within, the soil lifts 130.

In some embodiments, the soil lifts 130 can optionally be coupled to oneanother by fasteners or coupling elements 108 such as stakes, hog rings,or clips. As an example, hog rings may be inserted through two adjacentsoil lifts 130 and subsequently bent with pliers, or other manipulationmeans, to bend the hog rings into a circular shape to couple theadjacent soil lifts 130. In some embodiments, the fasteners or couplingelements 108 are stainless steel. In some embodiments, rope is weavedthrough the surface of adjacent soil lifts 130 to couple the soil lifts130. The fasteners or coupling elements 108 serve to mechanically couplethe soil lifts 130 together.

The synthetic mesh 140 is incorporated as an outward layer of fabricused for developing fabric encased soil lifts. In some embodiments, themesh 140 comprises raschel polypropylene knotless netting, 3 mm hightenacity (rip resistant), 1½″ mesh opening, with enhanced UVstabilization. In other embodiments, the mesh 140 comprisespolyethylene. In other embodiments, the mesh 140 comprises 100%biodegradable coir fabric. In some embodiments, the mesh opening canrange from ½″ to 7″. In an embodiment, the mesh 140 covers the coirfiber rolls 110 that are not filled with plant material 170. In apreferred embodiment, the netting is not photo-degradable. The earthanchors 120 pass through the mesh 140 and soil lifts 130 into the soilbeneath. In some embodiments, the synthetic mesh 140 can be substitutedwith a layer of coir fabric.

After installation of the mesh 140, the coir fiber rolls 110 covered bythe mesh 140 are at least partially covered by sand 150. In anembodiment, the first six coir fiber rolls 110 relative to theshoreline, riverbank, lakefront, or other waterfront are at leastpartially covered by the mesh 140 and sand 150. The number of coir fiberrolls 110 covered by the mesh 140 and sand 150 may be adjusted based onthe conditions of the site of the apparatus 100. The inclusion of sand150 is described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

A plurality of posts 160 may be placed at intervals along at least thefront coir fiber roll 110 of the apparatus 100 relative to theshoreline, riverbank, lakefront, or other waterfront. The posts 160provide additional support for the apparatus 100. In an embodiment, theposts 160 may be 4″ by 4″ or 6″ by 6″, and spaced at 5 foot intervalsalong the first coir fiber roll 110. In some embodiments, the apparatus100 does not include posts 160.

In some embodiments, coir fiber rolls 110 not covered by the mesh 140are filled with plant material 170. In other embodiments, at least oneof the coir fiber rolls 110 covered by the mesh 140 or incorporated intothe soil lifts 130 are filled with the plant material 170. The plantmaterial 170 may be any vegetation with suitable roots for securing theapparatus 100 from eroding. In an embodiment, the plant material 170 isAmerican beachgrass. In other embodiments, the plant material 170 may beany native plantings appropriate to the site conditions, which will growquickly and stabilize the landform.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 includes marsh pillows 190. Thepillows 190 may be installed between the apparatus 100 and theshoreline. The pillows 190 are described in greater detail below withrespect to FIG. 8 .

FIG. 2 is a side view of an erosion control apparatus 100, according tosome embodiments. In these embodiments, the apparatus 100 includes atleast one wire basket 165. In some embodiments, the wire basket 165 is avinyl coated, welded, and galvanized gabion. The wire basket may beutilized as a substitute of the anchor posts 160 or in conjunction withthe anchor posts 160. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the wirebaskets 165 are at least 1′×2′×6″. The wire baskets 165 can be filledwith heavy materials such as rock or shells.

In an embodiment, the apparatus 100 further comprises at least oneerosion control blanket 180. In an embodiment, the blanket 180 isbiodegradable and may degrade over approximately a three year period. Ina further embodiment, the blanket 180 comprises coir fiber netting. Theblanket 180 may be secured with the posts 160. In some embodiments, theblanket 180 may be secured with the earth anchors 120. If multipleblankets are employed, an interior blanket is typically astraw/coir/jute, short term, composite erosion control blanket and anexterior blanket is typically 700 or 900-gram woven coir fabric. Theblanket 180 is further configured to provide UV protection to the coirfiber rolls 110. The blanket 180 is further configured to preventchafing between the coir fiber rolls 110 and the cables 116 during stormevents.

In an embodiment, a composite erosion control blanket 185 is installedwithin forty-eight hours of grading the soil above (up gradient) thecoir fiber rolls 110 relative to the shoreline, riverbank, lakefront, orother waterfront. In an embodiment, the composite erosion controlblanket 185 is secured with a first trench located at a first end of theapparatus 100, the first end being positioned substantially parallel tothe shoreline and at a highest end of the apparatus 100 furthest fromthe shoreline. In a further embodiment, the mesh 140 is secured with asecond trench at a second end of the apparatus 100, the second end beingpositioned substantially parallel to the shoreline and at a lowest endof the apparatus 100 closest to the shoreline. In an embodiment, thetrenches are 6″×6″ (that is at least six inches wide and six inchesdeep) lock-in trenches at the top and bottom of the slope with a minimumof 6″ overlaps in the transition from one horizontal width of erosioncontrol blanket to the next. 30″ hardwood stakes 135 can be used at aspacing of 36″ on center with ¼″ biodegradable twine used to secure thecomposite 185 to the ground surface. The trenches may be backfilled,seeded, and lightly mulched with sterilized, weed-free chopped straw orcomparable equivalent mulch product.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an erosion control apparatus 100, according tosome embodiments. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 includes atleast one stake 135. The stakes 135 may be inserted through the soillifts 130. The stakes are described in more detail below with respect toFIG. 9 .

FIG. 4 is a close-up side view of a coir fiber roll 110 according tosome embodiments. A coir fiber roll 110 includes an inner portion 112 ofcoir fiber. In some embodiments, the inner portion 112 of coir fiber is20″ in diameter. The inner portion is surrounded by a layer 114 of coirfabric. In some embodiments, the weight of the layer 114 of coir fabricmay range between seven hundred to nine hundred grams. The layer 114 ofcoir fabric may be covered by the mesh 140. Cables 116 may be securedaround the mesh 140. The cables 116 are attached to the anchors 120. Insome embodiments, the cables 116 are spaced at two and a half feetdistances across the coir fiber rolls 110.

FIG. 5A depicts a side view of an erosion control apparatus including aplurality of slope angles, according to some embodiments. The coir fiberrolls 110 may be arranged at varying slopes throughout the apparatus100. The preferred configuration of the coir fiber rolls 110 may bedetermined based on the factors such as the shape of the shoreline atthe excavation site, the anticipated forces the apparatus 100 willendure, and the desired slope after insertion of the apparatus 100. Anembodiment can use a first contiguous set of rolls 102 at a first slopeangle, a second contiguous set of rolls 104 at a second slope angle thatis steeper than the first set, extending at a greater angle, and a thirdset contiguous set of rolls 106 can be at a third angle that is situatedat a greater or lesser angle as required.

The soil behind the coir fiber rolls 110, relative to the shoreline,riverbank, lakefront, or other waterfront, may be graded. In someembodiments, the soil is graded at the same slope angle as the coirfiber rolls 110. In some embodiments, the soil is graded at a differentslope angle than the coir fiber rolls 110. The coir fiber rolls 110and/or the soil may be graded at a slope angle in a range of 0 to 45degrees (1:1 slope). In an embodiment, coir fiber rolls 110 and/or thesoil is graded at a slope angle in a range of 20 to 50 degrees. In afurther embodiment, coir fiber rolls 110 and/or the soil is graded at aslope angle no greater than 26.6 degrees (2:1 slope). In a furtherembodiment, coir fiber rolls 110 and/or the soil is graded at a slopeangle no greater than 18 degrees (3:1 slope). The slope angle may be 18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36,37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50 degrees, orany angle in between. In some embodiments, the soil of the apparatus 100can include varying slope angles throughout the apparatus 100.

Each anchor 120 may be inserted at varying angles throughout theapparatus 100. FIGS. 5A and 5B depict multiple anchors 120 inserted atvarious angles with the cable passing through one or more elements ofthe apparatus 100. An anchor 120 may be inserted with the cable orientedat an angular range Θ₁ relative to the slope angle of the soil at theinsertion point of the anchor 120 or, if different, the slope angle Θ₂of the coir fiber rolls 110. An anchor 120 may be inserted as describedpreviously herein in a direction orthogonal to the soil grade or coirfiber rolls 110. An anchor 120 may be inserted at an angle up to 45degrees relative to the orthogonal direction (normal) to the plane. Insome embodiments, an anchor 120 may be inserted up to 10 degreesrelative to the orthogonal direction or plane. In some embodiments, ananchor 120 may be inserted up to 20 degrees relative to the orthogonaldirection. In some embodiments, an anchor 120 may be inserted up to 30degrees relative to the orthogonal direction. In some embodiments, ananchor 120 may be inserted up to 40 degrees relative to the orthogonaldirection.

The anchors 120 may all be inserted at the same angle throughout theapparatus 100 or the insertion angle of the anchors 120 may varythroughout the apparatus 100. In some embodiments, each anchor 120 isinserted at the same angle relative to the orthogonal plane. In someembodiments, each anchor 120 is inserted at varying angles relative tothe orthogonal plane. In such embodiments, some of the anchors 120 maybe inserted at similar angles relative to the orthogonal plane.

In some embodiments, the anchor 120 inserted closest to the shorelinemay be inserted vertically. A vertical anchor 120 is advantageous whenthe apparatus 100 is installed above a seawall, bulkhead, or othertraditional structure used to reduce erosion from adjacent water coursesor water bodies to connect the apparatus 100 to the seawall, bulkhead,or other traditional structure.

An anchor 120 may secure one or more coir fiber rolls 110. In someembodiments, an anchor 120 may pass through one or more soil lifts 130.In some embodiments, an anchor 120 may pass through the mesh 140 andsand 150. In some embodiments, each individual anchor 120 may secure thesame or different elements of the apparatus 100 as other anchors 120.

FIG. 5B depicts a side view of a section of an erosion control apparatusand the angular positioning of elements of the apparatus, according tosome embodiments. The one or more coir fiber rolls 110 are installedalong a plane (depicted in FIG. 5B) relative to a base layer of earth.Sections of the apparatus 100 may be installed along multiple planes.The angle between such a plane and the base layer is labeled as Θ₂.

Each anchor 120 is inserted at an angle relative to a plane relative toa base layer of earth. The insertion angle of the anchor 120 may benormal (orthogonal) to a plane as depicted in FIG. 5B. In someembodiments, an anchor 120 is inserted an angle relative to the normal.The angle of the anchor 120 is labeled as Θ₁. In some embodiments, eachanchor 120 is inserted at an angle within 30 degrees of the normal. Ananchor 120 includes a rod or cable that extends at the defined angle.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of an anchor's load according to someembodiments. In some embodiments, an anchor 120 is driven into the soilat a ninety-degree angle relative to the soil. In some embodiments, ananchor 120 is locked into place by applying stress to the anchor tendon125, the connecting segment or element of the anchor 120 in the oppositedirection to which the anchor 120 was driven. The tendon 125 isgenerally a steel aircraft cable or a metal rod. The anchor 120 rotatesninety degrees and a frustum cone 126 of soil is formed as the soil iscompacted and bonded. The frustum cone 126 enables an anchor 120 tosupport a large load. In some embodiments, each anchor 120 supportsthree thousand pounds of force.

The anchors 120 utilized in the apparatus 100 may be helical-styleanchors, duckbill-style anchors, or any other type of anchor that can bedriven below grade. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus utilizesduckbill-style anchors. In some embodiments, the anchors 120 may beinstalled approximately every twenty-four to thirty inches along the topand bottom edge of each coir fiber roll 110.

The density of the anchors 120 per square foot is dependent on theheight of the apparatus 100. In an embodiment with 2.5′ and 3.3′ spacingbetween the center axes of adjacent coir fiber rolls 110, the apparatusincludes three to four cables 116 per coir fiber roll 110. Therefore therange of anchor density for an apparatus 100 from one coir fiber roll110 high to one hundred coir fiber rolls 110 high is generally in arange of eighteen to forty-eight anchors 120 per one hundred squarefeet.

In an embodiment including four cables 116 per 10′ coir fiber roll 110,the anchor density can be twenty-four to forty-eight anchors 120 per onehundred square feet. In embodiment including one coir fiber roll 110,the anchor density can be thirty-six to forty-eight anchors 120 per onehundred square feet. In an embodiment including five coir fiber rolls110, the anchor density can be twenty-two to twenty-nine anchors 120 perone hundred square feet. In an embodiment including ten coir fiber rolls110, the anchor density can be twenty to twenty-six anchors 120 per onehundred square feet. In an embodiment including one hundred coir fiberrolls 110, the anchor density can be eighteen to twenty-four anchors 120per one hundred square feet.

In one embodiment, at least twenty to twenty-nine anchors 120 areinserted per one hundred square feet. In an embodiment, the anchors 120are driven into the soil by a hydraulic hammer. Typically, the anchors120 have a distal portion comprising an anchor point 127 that cancomprise a duckbill or helical segment, or a plate, for example. Thisanchor point 127 has a surface area that supports a cone shaped load 126of overlying soil and structure. The anchor point 127 surface area ispreferably at least four square inches or larger. The anchors 120 arepositioned so that the cone shaped load 126 at least overlaps the cone128 of an adjoining anchor 120. In a further embodiment, the anchors 120are driven into the soil by an impact of eighteen ft/lb of impact energyat a rate of two thousand three hundred (2300) blows/minute, forexample. This impact energy can vary depending on soil conditions andthe anchor depth requirements at a given installation.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views of coir fiber rolls 110 covered in sand150 according to some embodiments. The coir fiber rolls 110 may becovered solely by sand 150, by sand 150 within a burlap layer 155, or acombination of sand 150 and burlap 155. In some embodiments, the burlaplayer 155 is covered by two layers of coir fiber 156. The burlap layer155 and the two layers of coir fiber 156 may be secured in the soil byat least one stake 135. The burlap layer 155 may be biodegradable. Insome embodiments, coir fiber rolls 110 disposed closer to the shorelineare covered by sand 150 with the burlap layer 155 and the coir fiberrolls disposed furthest from the shoreline are covered by sand 150.

FIG. 8 is a side view of marsh pillows or containers 190 according tosome embodiments. In some embodiments, the marsh pillows 190 aredisposed between the coir fiber rolls 110 and the shoreline. In someembodiments, the marsh containers 190 are composed of coir materialfilled with loose coir fiber and compost. In some embodiments, the marshcontainers 190 range from 2″-7″ thick and 1′-6′ wide. In furtherembodiments, the marsh containers 190 range from 4″-5″ thick and 3′-4′wide. In some embodiments, the marsh containers 190 are surrounded bybiodegradable rope 195.

The marsh containers 190 may be secured to the soil by an anchor 120, astake 135, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the marshcontainers 190 are fastened to cables 116 with four anchors 120 permarsh container 190 In some embodiments, the marsh containers 190 arefilled with plant material 170. In further embodiments, the plantmaterial 170 may be maritime grasses native to the shoreline.

FIG. 9 is a side view of stakes 135 utilized in an erosion controlapparatus 100 according to some embodiments. At least one stake 135 isdriven through each soil lift 130. The stakes 135 may be driven througha soil lift 130 into the soil or driven through a first soil lift 130into another soil lift 130 disposed beneath the first soil lift. In someembodiments, the stakes 135 are wooden stakes. In some embodiments, thestakes 135 may be substituted with earth anchors such as duckbillanchors.

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are a top view, side view, perspectiveview, and a front view of an assembled apparatus 100 according to someembodiments. FIGS. 10A, 10C, and 10D depict the spacing of the cables116 across the coir fiber rolls 110 according to some embodiments. FIGS.10A, 10C, and 10D also depict the spacing of the posts 160 across theclosest coir fiber roll 110 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11A depicts a method of installing an erosion control apparatus,according to some embodiments. The method begins when a layer of mesh isplaced within an excavated site (Step 1010). The soil behind the site,relative to the shoreline, riverbank, lakefront, or other waterfront,may be graded. The mesh may comprise raschel polypropylene knotlessnetting (or comparable equivalent), 3 mm high tenacity (rip resistant),1½″ mesh opening, with UV stabilization, or may comprise polyethylene orcoir fiber. The netting can be biodegradable or in a preferredembodiment is non-photodegradable. In some embodiments, the mesh openingcan range from ½″ to 7″. Next, at least one layer of coir fabric isplaced over the mesh (Step 1020). In some embodiments, two layers ofseven hundred gram (or heavier) coir fabric is layered over the mesh. Insome embodiments, one or two layers of 700-gram woven coir fabricencased by high tenacity (rip resistant) polypropylene synthetic meshcomprise a soil lift.

Coir fiber rolls are then arranged in the site relative to the shorelineand connected within the soil lifts (Step 1030). A coir fiber roll maybe a 20″ diameter by 10′ long, measured at a nine pound per cubic footdensity, comprised of a mattress of inner coir fibers encased in a UVstabilized synthetic polypropylene mesh. Alternatively, the coir fiberroll may be a mattress of inner coir fibers encased in a 100%biodegradable coir rope mesh. The soil lifts are filled with sedimentand the sediment is compacted (Step 1040). All sediment in each soillift has a consistent depth of approximately 12″. The sediment in eachsoil lift is compacted using a portable plate compactor at 6″ soil depthintervals.

Then the mesh and the coir fabric are folded over the coir fiber rollsand soil lifts (Step (1050). In an embodiment, the number of coir fiberrolls in the apparatus and the number of coir fiber rolls covered by themesh are determined by specific design criteria varying with eachinstallation site. In an embodiment, the mesh is installed as each liftis constructed. The completed series of coir fiber rolls and soil liftsmay be referred to as a protection array.

The method continues when a plurality of anchors are inserted andcoupled to the rolls to secure the rolls to the soil lifts. (Step 1060).Step 1060 is described in further detail below in regards to FIG. 11B.Steps 1010 through 1060 may be repeated as necessary to constructadditional soil lifts. The additional soil lifts may be constructed onthe top or the side of the rolls.

After construction of the soil lifts is completed, at least one coirfiber roll is filled with plant material (Step 1070). The plant materialmay be any vegetation with suitable roots for securing the apparatusfrom eroding. In an embodiment, the plant life is American beachgrass.In other embodiments, the plant material may be any native plantingsappropriate to the site conditions, which will grow quickly andstabilize the landform. Next at least one biodegradable erosion controlblanket is installed and secured with posts inserted along at least afirst fiber roll (Step 1080). The blanket may be installed along alldisturbed and/or unstable ground located above the protection array. Inan embodiment, the blanket is biodegradable. In a further embodiment,the blanket comprises coir fiber netting. If multiple blankets areemployed, an interior blanket is typically a straw/coir/jute, shortterm, composite erosion control blanket and an exterior blanket istypically 700 or 900 gram woven coir fabric. The at least one blanket issecured when a plurality of posts are inserted through the blanket alongat least a first roll of the apparatus relative to the shoreline,riverbank, lakefront, or other waterfront. The plurality of posts may be4″ by 4″ or 6″ by 6″, and spaced at 5 foot intervals along the firstcoir fiber roll. The blanket may additionally be secured by abiodegradable twine used to secure the blanket firmly to the soil. Thetwine may extend from the highest elevation of destabilized or disturbedsoil down the uppermost soil lift.

A first trench is excavated at a highest end of the apparatus and asecond trench is excavated at a lowest end of the apparatus. (Step1090). In some embodiments, only a first trench is excavated. In anembodiment, the trenches are 6″×6″ (that is at least six inches wide andsix inches deep) lock-in trenches at the top and bottom of the slopewith a minimum of 6″ overlaps. 30″ hardwood stakes may be used at adensity of 36″ on center with ¼″ biodegradable twine used to secure themesh to the ground surface. The trenches are be backfilled, seeded, andlightly mulched with sterilized, weed-free chopped straw or comparableequivalent mulch product. (Step 1095).

FIG. 11B depicts a method of inserting anchors to secure fiber rolls andsoil lifts according to some embodiments. The method begins whenduckbill anchors including a rod connected to an anchor point surfacesized to support an overlying cone of material are selected (Step 1110).Anchors providing at least 3,000 pounds of holding force at eachinsertion point (Step 1120). After the anchors are selected, the anchorsare spaced approximately every twenty-four to thirty inches along thetop and bottom edge of each coir fiber roll (Step 1130). In oneembodiment, at least twenty to twenty-nine anchors are inserted per onehundred square feet.

The anchors are passed through the mesh, coir fabric, and soil lift(Step 1040). In a preferred embodiment, the anchors pass through themesh and soil lifts, which operates to distribute the anchoring forceacross the entire embedded structure. The coir fiber rolls are anchoredwith the use of earth anchors and the earth anchors can be insertedthrough the rolls. Next, the anchors are inserted adjacent to a coirfiber roll and through a soil lift adjacent to another coir fiber rollor through an adjacent soil lift, mechanically coupling the coir fiberrolls and soil lifts (Step 1150). The anchors pass through the mesh andsoil lifts to distribute the anchoring force across the system.

In an embodiment, the anchors are inserted at a fixed depth into soilunderneath the apparatus; the depth being at least forty-two inches(Step 1060). In the above methods, the anchors may be earth anchors. Theearth anchors may be helical-style anchors, duckbill-style anchors, orany other type of anchor that can be driven below grade.

In one embodiment, after a soil lift is compacted, a roll is placedalong the “water” side of the lift and the blanket and mesh are foldedback toward the landform. In one embodiment, the anchors are driven intothe soil after each grouping of the lift, roll, blanket, and mesh areconstructed. In another embodiment the anchors may be driven into thesoil after each individual lift is constructed, after 2-3 lifts havebeen constructed or after all the lifts are constructed. In anembodiment utilizing duckbill anchors, anchors should be installed aftera lift is constructed. In an embodiment utilizing helical anchors, theanchors may be installed prior to construction of the lifts and steelcables would need to be pulled up through the lifts.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of this disclosure. Itis intended that the specification and examples be considered asexemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the disclosed devicesand methods being indicated by the following claims.

1. An erosion control apparatus comprising: a plurality of fiber rolls,wherein the fiber rolls are arranged relative to a slope adjacent to ashoreline; a plurality of helical anchors coupled to one or more of theplurality of fiber rolls, the anchors inserted at a depth into theslope; a plurality of soil lifts comprising a fiber material thatsurrounds a fill material, each soil lift coupled to at least one fiberroll; and a harness that couples the plurality of fiber rolls together.2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fiber rolls comprise highdensity coir fiber at a nine pound per cubic foot density.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the fiber rolls comprise low density coirfiber at a seven pound per cubic foot density.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising one or more duckbill anchors spaced at intervalsalong at least one fiber roll, each duckbill anchor including a tendonconnected to an anchor point surface sized to support an overlying coneof material, each anchor including a rod or cable that extends in anorthogonal direction to a plane extending through two or more of thefiber rolls, or extends at an angle within 30 degrees of the orthogonaldirection.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein an interval can have alength in a range of 24 inches to 60 inches.
 6. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the anchors are inserted at a depth of at least 42 inchesbelow a slope surface of the apparatus, each anchor having an anchorpoint surface area.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each anchorprovides at least 3,000 pounds of holding force at an insertion point ofthe anchor.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each soil liftcomprises at least one layer of coir fabric that retains sediment. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the sediment in a soil lift iscompacted and wherein the sediment has a depth of at least 12 inches.10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mesh layer around afiber roll and contacting at least one soil lift, the mesh layercomprising a woven fibrous material, polypropylene or polyethylene. 11.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mesh layer comprises a coirfiber.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first trenchlocated at a highest end of the apparatus; the trench being backfilled,wherein the first trench is at least 6 inches wide and at least 6 inchesdeep.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the trench is covered withsand or soil.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising plantmaterial positioned on or within at least one fiber roll.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the mesh layer covers at least one of thefiber rolls.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at leastone erosion control blanket, wherein the blanket comprises abiodegradable material.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprisinga plurality of posts placed along at least a first roll of the apparatusrelative to the shoreline, wherein the lifts are secured with the posts.18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein intervals between anchors coupledalong at least one fiber roll and the depth of the anchors provideoverlapping frustum cones of overlying fill material.